If you promise not to waterboard the salads (and to cut off the crusts because it just looks cuter) you can come on in to read this Bunheads review of “Better Luck Next Year.”

The character of Michelle Simms (Sutton Foster) has been continuing to grow and engage the audience. I personally really love the little things, like how she does own a sombrero, respects David Copperfield (as a Las Vegas vet) and that she whines. Maybe I don’t even like that she whines, as much as how she does it. Yes, I like how she whines. I think, in part, it’s because she was whining to Fanny. Which is cute, but it also speaks to the way in which Michelle is connecting to Fanny. Michelle is being herself (in all her glorious craziness), and she might come to really look upon Fanny as a true friend and/or Mother figure. And speaking of Mother figure’s…

Boo’s Mom seems really cool and nice and sweet… but obviously she’s a bit flawed. For as much as she’s a best friend to her daughter, she’s wanting her daughter to not change at all. (Which, hey, is a theme I can understand. I get upset even as my cat grows up!)

Boo (Kaitlyn Jenkins), herself, is very determined as a dancer. I loved the scene where Fanny keeps changing Boo’s look around to help her with her audition. There was a lot of support, and I did not expect it. I just can’t wait to see Michelle helping support the girls. She’ll get all invested and it’ll be even more heart-breakey when bad dance things happen.

And Boo has a good friend in Sasha (Julia Goldani Telles) even though she doesn’t realize it. Hey, Sasha isn’t perfect, who is? I like her. I like her because she obviously struggles with how to be, and I like to root for underdogs. Anyone who was hoping to write Sasha off as the mean girl, get ready to be proven wrong.

There was quite a bit of Truly (Stacey Oristano) in “Better Luck Next Year” and (pardon the pun) truly, I just want more! I love this character… she’s capable when it comes to other people and their needs (I have a note about how she’s like an adorable-yet-fierce little French bulldog when she defends Fanny), but she does seem like she needs a TREAT YO SELF day (that’s a Parks and Recreation nod, for ya.) She’s great as Fanny’s assistant.

I’d like to make note that putting up curtains is tough. I eventually learned what a Phillips head screwdriver was. Although I still feel incapable of using one.

Kelly Bishop as Fanny Flowers is perfection. Every single time. I cannot say that enough. And did you see all the actual photos of younger Kelly that they used? Precious!

I look forward to seeing more develop with Ginny (Bailey Buntain), Melanie (Emma Dumont) along with more Boo/Melanie’s brother drama. Plus, eventually Michelle is going to start teaching dance, right? Right. What are you most looking forward to?